Are you thinking about teaching English online but you’re not too sure where to start? Not to worry, we have put together a list of several different online English companies and their requirements.

PalFish

PalFish is a unique online English teaching company because you can teach from your phone! There are two different ways to use this platform. The first is very basic in which you do not need to have your degree or even your TEFL (although having this definitely helps). The second is as an official PalFish teacher, in which you are required to have your TEFL. As a basic user, you simply talk to Chinese students about anything and you are paid per minute. On the other hand, as an official teacher, you are required to follow along on a powerpoint provided and you are paid per class. In order to become an official teacher, you must have your TEFL and apply by recording a demo class (15 minutes) of you teaching to an imaginary student.

Overall Requirements:

• Native English Speaker
• No Criminal background
• Pay varies on experience
• Have your TEFL (if applying for an official teaching position)

VIPKids

This is one of the most common and popular teaching platforms for online English teachers. In order to become a teacher for the company you must posses both a bachelor’s degree and your TEFL. In order to apply, you must fill out a basic application and record a demo class. After your demo class, you will be notified if you are selected to continue to the next phase or whether you will have to improve on your teaching skills. If you are selected to become a teacher, they do require a 6-month commitment. However, you can set your own schedule ahead of time, choosing the teaching times a week or two in advance.

As with PalFish, VIP Kids classes are all one-on-one classes with the materials prepared by the company. You simply follow along with the powerpoint provided by VIP Kids.

Overall Requirements:

• Native English Speaker from Canada and/or the USA
• Have your bachelor’s degree and your TEFL
• No Criminal background
• Pays up to $22/hour

DadaABC

DadaABC is another popular online teaching platform. As with VIP Kids, they require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL. As with most online teaching platforms, part of the application process requires you to hold a mock-class interview in which you go through the materials provided and “teach English” to your interviewer. You will be required to commit to a 6-month contract if you are selected to become an online English teacher for DadaABC. As with VIP Kids, all of your classes will be one-on-one.

Overall Requirements:

• Native English Speaker
• Have your bachelor’s degree and your TEFL
• No Criminal background
• Pays up to $25/hour

ITutorGroup

Similar to both DadaABC and VIPKids, with ITutorGroup, you will be teaching one-on-one classes to English language learners. However, unlike the other two, you also have the option to teach longer classes to groups of students. Teachers are required to teach a minimum of 10 hours a week. However, if you wish to teach more than 10 hours, you are more than able to schedule more classes. As a part of the interview process, you will be required to teach a mock class as with the other two companies.

Overall Requirements:

• Native English Speaker
• Have your bachelor’s degree and your TEFL
• No Criminal background
• Pays up to $24/hour

  

English First

Teaching English online with English First is unique in that it offers you the opportunity to teach English online to adult learners. Unlike other companies, they also offer teaching positions globally as well as online. You can easily transition between teaching online as well as in a classroom abroad when you are a teacher for them.

Overall Requirements:

• Native English Speaker from the US or UK
• Have your bachelor’s degree and your TEFL
• No Criminal background
• Pay begins at $12/hour

Worried about nailing your mock-classes for these online English teaching positions? There is no need to stress. Here are a few key tips to kill your mock class!

• Dress for success! Make sure you look presentable and like you would expect any teacher to dress.
• Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
• Make sure that all of your equipment is working (headphones, laptop, etc.)
• REVIEW! Be sure to look through all of the slides that they provide you. The interviewers will be able to tell if you have not prepared.
• Be enthusiastic! You will be teaching young learners (up to 9th grade), you need to be happy and energetic.
• Have props! This will show the interviewers that you have gone above and beyond.

These are simply a few of the best online English companies to work for and a few key tips to nail the teaching Interview. Have any specific questions about any of these companies? Feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll help you on your way to living your dream life as an online English teacher.